“You have gaming in this state and, by the way, you have gaming in neighboring states so it’s really not an issue any more of if we don’t officially sanction it as a government it’s not going to happen. It is happening,” Cuomo said.

Tim Rooney Jr., of Empire City Casino said in these tough economic times it makes economic sense for New York to legalize casino gambling.

“It’s estimated that 2 billion of New York dollars are exported every year out of state to places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas. We think if you had full casino gambling in New York that we’d not only be able to keep that $2 billion in the state but attract out-of-state dollars as well,” Rooney said.

Opponents are horrified.

“The function of state government should be to provide for the health and welfare of the citizens. It seems like now the only purpose of state government is to find ways to raise revenue painlessly for the state so that we don’t have to introduce taxes,” said Joel Rose of the Coalition Against Gambling In New York.